Special Issue

• Our New Grand Master • Grand Lodge Theme for the Year • Plans and Programs • GLP Schedule 2016- 2017 • Masonic Education • The events and Activities of Ancom 2016 • Our New Junior Grand Warden: RW Agapito Suan, Jr. • The new GLP officers and appointees

MW Voltaire T. Gazmin Grand Master of Masons, MY 2016-2017 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 Editor’s Notes

In the service of one’s Grand Mother DURING THE GRAND MASTER’S GALA held at the Taal Vista Hotel last April 30, then newly-installed MW Voltaire Gazmin in a hushed voice uttered one of his very first directives as a Grand Master: Let’s come out with a special AnCom issue of The Cable Tow or ELSE! The last two words, of course, is a across our country’s archipelago and at the same time joke! be prompt in the delivery of news and information so needed for the sustenance of the growing craftsman. But our beloved Grand Master did ask for a May issue of the Cable Tow and so he shall have it. Indeed, just as what the Grand Orient directs and as far as Volume 93 is concerned, this publication will This is a special issue of The Cable Tow, which aim to Personify Freemasonry by thinking, writing encases within its pages the events and highlights and publishing articles the Mason’s Way. of the 100th Annual Communications of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted With most of the result of the recent national elections Masons of the Philippines. In this issue also, we will almost a foregone conclusion, we rest assure that be providing to you a short biograpical sketch of our change is apparently coming to the Philippines. As new Grand Master, MW Voltaire T. Gazmin as well you may notice from the new masthead on the cover, as to introduce the newly-elected and installed Junior we at The Cable Tow will also be introducing some Grand Warden, RW Agapito S. Suan, Jr. of Cagayan new and exciting changes in our humble publication De Oro City. that aims to highlight the underlying principles upon which The Cable Tow was created. In addition, we will also be featuring articles on the the masonic theme for the year as well as the Grand Cheers brethren! And Happy reading! Lodge’s strategic focus for the new term.

Keeping in focus the points raised by MW Gazmin in his inaugural speech, Volume 93 of The Cable VW Marlon M. Castor Tow aims to reach out further to the brethren spread Editor In-Chief 2 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 In This Issue Editor’s Notes page 2 The Grand Master’s Word EDITORIAL BOARD page 4 MW Rudyardo V. Bunda, PGM, GMH From the AnCom Chairman MW Reynato S. Puno, PGM, GMH page 5 MW Danilo D. Angeles, PGM Tagaytay and the April VW Oliver V. Yabut, AGS Ancom Fever VW Sixto S. Esquivias IV, PGA page 6 VW Samuel P. Fernandez, PGC For Love of Flag, Family and VW Flor R. Nicolas - Consultant the Fraternity page 39 EDITORIAL STAFF This Year’s Masonic Theme page 45 VW Marlon M. Castor GLP strategic Focus for the Editor In-Chief year Bro. Remir H. Macatangay page 47 Associate Editor The Grand Master’s VW Jose Avelino I. Magbanua Circulation Manager Inaugural SPeech VW Gene B. Illenberger page 51 Art Director An Enchanting Afternoon Ms. Jennifer C. Magallanes with the Ladies of AnCom Secretary 2016 The Cable Tow is the official publication of the Most page 58 Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines. It is a bi-monthly publication for and in The Taking of Taal the interest of the members of the subordinate lodges in this page 62 jurisdiction, who are regular subscribers thereto. Original articles are subjected to editing, and when published becomes The Southern Warden of the intellectual property of the publication. Any article the Grand South published in The Cable Tow may be reprinted in full, or excerpts thereof reproduced, provided proper attribution to page 66 the author is made, the source is given due credit, and The tribute to the brethren of Cable Tow desk is furnished with a courtesy copy of the reprinted material. The publication holds office at the2/F AnCom 2016 Plaridel Masonic Temple, 1440 San Marcelino St., Ermita, page 68 Manila D 2801, Philippines. PAID ADVERTISEMENTS ARE ACCEPTED FOR PRINTING IN THE CABLE TOW.

3 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1

My dear brethren:

allow me to express my sincere appreciation to all my brothers in the craft for your splendid display of support and cooperation during our recently-held 100th ANCOM at Tagaytay City.

The sheer size of the delegates who trooped to the ANCOM site, patiently registered, paid their fees, formally dressed up, and enthusiastically-participated in the ANCOM proceedings speak volumes of the zeal and desire of Filipino masons to keep the fire of masonry well-lit and bright in this jurisdiction.

and I shall rise to the challenge of further improving ourselves in Freemasonry through the best way – the Masons Way!

as I start off my general address to the brethren with this first issue of theC able Tow under the new term, I wish to emphasize an important but often neglected virtue – that of being prompt in everything we do. We should avoid being late. We should all strive to start on time—be it on lodge opening, committee hearing, installation and other Masonic ceremonies, etc. This is a simple and very much doable attitude correction which will surely yield positive results.

It is about time we implement Masonic time.

The Cable Tow should be the first visible manifestation of promptness from the Grand Lodge. I exhort the management and editorial staff of our bi-monthly publication to maintain its timely and efficient circulation all throughout the term and the next.

keep the charge.

MW VOLTAIRE T. GAZMIN Grand Master of Masons, 2016-2017

4 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1

To our beloved brethren,

Fraternal greetings!

In an effort reminiscent of the age of the great temple builders, the world has yet again witnessed in marvel at the efforts of dedicated craftsmen at work towards a common plan.

It is indeed amazing when the determined group of individuals—working in harmony and unison, are able to succeed and accomplish such a seemingly daunting task as the staging of the 100th Annual Communication of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Philippines. It is this same energy that propels every Masonic lodge of this jurisdiction to achieve feats that are otherwise impossible for one man alone. And despite the challenges that have been thrown our way, our earnest desire to provide the best possible AnCom of recent history to our beloved brethren has nevertheless endured.

Truly, we have been fortunate to have been given the opportunity to be of service to the Grand Lodge in such capacity as the organizing body of its AnCom. The experience of being able to learn the intricacies and veiled complexities behind the event has been both rewarding and enriching in our continuous journey as master masons.

Yet, the success of AnCom 2016 must be shared not only with a select group of brethren, but also with those who in one way or another, have been instrumental in accomplishing the mission that was laid before us more than a year ago.

Thus, in behalf of theA nCom 2016 Executive Committee, we extend our sincerest gratitude and appreciation to the brethren of the host district, NCR-G with special mention to King Solomon Lodge No. 150 and Palanyag Lodge No. 323, to the brethren of Tagaytay and Cavite for allowing us to hold this event in your backyard, to the city government of Tagaytay for the assistance that they have extended, to the officers and staff of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines for their support and coordination, to our beloved sponsors and supporters, and most of all, to all those brethren who attended this year’s AnCom—maraming, maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat!

And of course, no Masonic endeavor would be successful without the aid of Divine Providence that continues to guide us in all our labors.

Mabuhay ang Gran Lohia ng Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang Masonerya!

VW Sixto S. Esquivias IV Chairman, AnCom 2016 Executive Committee 5 DURING THE LAST WEEK OF APRIL 2016, thousands of members Tagaytay of the world’s oldest fraternity—the Freemasons, coming from various parts and the of the country and in some parts of the globe met in conclave and fellowship for the 100th Annual Communication April (AnCom) of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines at the Taal Vista Hotel in Ancom the beautiful city of Tagaytay, province of Cavite last April 28-30, 2016. fever With theme, “Personify Freemasonry. Be the better person through the best way. Think, speak, and act The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 the Mason’s Way”, the event intends to promote and enjoy nature and each other’s companies. coordination and harmony among the more than 20,000 members of the fraternity in the Philippines Tee-off started at 6am wherein players were divided and to strengthen international ties with other Grand into flights to facilitate an organized staging of Lodges of foreign jurisdictions. tournament. Afterwards, the players proceeded to the clubhouse for some refreshments as well as the KICKING OFF THE ANCOM WEEK awarding ceremonies and fellowship. Several choice items were raffled to the delight of some of the golfers. The AnCom 2016 week kicked off on Tuesday, April The affair ended at around 3pm wherein some of the 26, 2016 with an AnCom 2016 Invitational Golf members of the AnCom Team proceeded to Tagaytay Tournament at the picturesque Malarayat Golf and which was less than an hour away. Country Club in Lipa City, Batangas. The tournament was held to signal the start of the AnCom 2016 week Testing on a Tuesday as well as to raise necessary funds to finance some of the activities during the AnCom 2016 proper. Simultaneously with the holding of the golf In addition, the tournament also provided an ideal tournament in Lipa City, Batangas, some members of venue for brethren to mingle in a healthy game of golf the Registration AnCom 2016 team trooped straight

Brethren golfers posing at the course.

Above left: VW Ted Salud does a precautionary stretch before hitting the fairways. Above right: MW Voltaire Gazmin hands one of the players his winning raffle prize. 7 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1

Left: The encoding area of the AnCom Registration, where personal information of the AnCom registrants as well as their photos are captured. Below: Workers installing the welcome tarpauline at the Tagaytay International Convention Center grounds.

to Tagaytay to set up the AnCom 2016 Registration stations at the Tagaytay International Convention Center (TICC).

The registration team, composed mostly of brethren from King Solomon Lodge No. 150 and Hadji Butu Rasul Memorial Lodge No. 393, carefully arranged themselves in such a way to ensure efficiency of the registration process as well as to distribution of AnCom 2016 kits . In order to accommodate the more than 2,000 expected registered brethren to the AnCom, the registration team sought the help of more than 20 students volunteers from Tagaytay City to augment its frontliners.

Meanwhile back in Manila, foreign guests of the AnCom have started arriving at the Ninoy Aqino Terminals and the brethren from Gen. Artemio Ricarte Lodge No. 322, who were tasked to welcome these arrivals, have already set up their reception for arriving at the arrival area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Into the Pre-ANCOM

TheA nCom activities then flowed into theW ednesday Above: Members of the Gen. Artemio Ricarte Lodge that followed with a wreath-laying activity before No. 322 welcoming delegates at the NAIA Terminal 3. 8 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1

First day registration frenzy at the TICC.

the statue of national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal—a known member of the Masonic craft, in front of Tagaytay Wednesday evening saw the arrival of the rest of the City Hall, which was just a few minutes walk from GLP reports that was to be included in the AnCom the TICC. The event led by the incumbent Grand kits and the registration team along with their Master of Masons, Most Worshipful Tomas G. volunteers quickly set off and placed the reports into Rentoy III followed by a courtesy call to the city’s the remaining bags for the official start of theA nCom chief executive. the following day.

Over at the TICC, delegates and registrants have ANCOM 2016: Day One started to trickle in as hundreds of early birds line up to have their data encoded and their kits and IDs On Thursday A ( pril 28, 2016), the Ancom 2016 released. Despite the uncharacteristic warm Tagaytay formally starts with the opening of the Grand Lodge weather, the humidity wasn’t enough to dampen the at the Grand Ballroom of the Taal Vista Hotel, where spirits of the brethren in the queus that sprouted dignitaries from various Grand Lodges around the due to the overwhelming numbers that came for the world and top representatives from various Masonic centennial edition of this annual event. organizations are received. This starts the two-day 9

The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 plenary session of the AnCom where important issues concerning the fraternity are discussed and decided upon as well as the election of its Grand Lodge officers and leaders for the ensuing year occurs.

The Thursday of theA nCom started with an auspicious opening of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Philippines by then-Grand Master MW Tomas G. Rentoy III at the Grand Ballroom of the Taal Vista Hotel ---just across the TICC. It is in this massive ballroom where most of the AnCom sessions will take place. Past Grand Masters and Grand Masters of other recognized jurisdictions as well as their duly- appointed representatives were acknowledged and received into the Grand East

Over at the TICC, the AnCom registration committee is hard at work in trying to register and accommodate the bulk of the more than 2,600 registered delegates to this year’s events. Unfortunately, despite the massive COURTESY FELLOWSHIP: MW Gazmin, together with the AnCom online information campaign for online registration, Team, on a visit to the brethren of Tagaytay on Wednesday night. most brethren still preferred on-site registration where they are made to go through various stations in order to have them properly registered for the AnCom instead of just picking up their respective AnCom kits via online registration. The unbearable humidity and heat of the uncharacteristic Tagaytay weather made the challenge of registration even more daunting. Yet, the registration team was up-to-task as they were augmented with manpower from various lodges who volunteered to expedite the process.

This year’s AnCom 2016 kit included a commemorative shoulder bag and GLP reports containing matters that need to be discussed and approved during the sessions. In addition, the AnCom 2016 organizing team also issued a special AnCom 2016 ID fitted with a special barcode --- unique to every delegate which they can use as entry into every AnCom-regulated site, particularly the session hall where non-registered brethren are purged and kindly asked to register should they wish to participate in the discussions. The barcodes 12 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 will also be instrumental in facilitating a digitally- enhanced and assisted elections for the new Junior Grand Warden. Thus, delegates are asked to wear their respective IDs correctly at all times when going to AnCom-sanctioned events.

Along the same row, the President of the Grand Guild of Past Masters, MW John Ochoa had already set up shop for the registration of delegates to the annual session of the said group as well and urged all Past Masters of masonic lodges to join them in session later that day at the Tagaytay International Convention Center hall.

In the meantime, the AnCom 2016 organizing have created a special city tour of Tagaytay for the ladies of the AnCom 2016 foreign guests (see separate article) as an added attraction to make their AnCom experience more memorable and enjoyable. COURTESY FELLOWSHIP: MW Gazmin, together with the AnCom Team, on a visit to the brethren of Tagaytay on Wednesday night. Just outside the TICC, business is in full swing for the dozens of booths and stalls erected featuring various masonic items and souvenirs as well as other masonic-related products available for sale for the thousands of brethren who have flocked to this year’s convention.

The remarkable size of this year’s attendance was very evident as the number of parked cars outside the TICC and Taal Vista Hotel have spilled over in the national road just between the two venues. In order to facilitate parking, the SM SkyRanch across the TICC was asked to accommodate (for a fee) the thousands of cars brought by the brethren coming from various parts of the country. Furthermore, special vans were made available to shuttle brethren between the TICC and Taal Vista Hotel.

Lunch for the delegates were served at the covered area just behind the TICC which will also be the venue to the Grand Master’s Night that is to be held later in the evening. Special guests were treated to SNAKE NIGHT: The RKC with fellow snakes. meals at the plush Taal Vista Hotel. 13

The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1

Grand Master’s Night 2016

As a fitting tribute and a grand send-off to outgoing Grand Master MW Tomas G. Rentoy III, the brethren in attendance at theA nCom 2016 were invited to the annual Grand Master’s Night held at the covered area behind the TICC where they reveled in a night of music, food and flowing drinks, and other festivities such as raffles and games (see related gallery).

ANCOM 2016: Day Two

The AnCom Friday is the one of the more important parts of the AnCom as this is the time where vital issues and concerns of the jurisdiction are discussed. On this day, most of the delegates gathered at the Grand Ballroom of Taal Vista Hotel. Marshals were stationed at the doors to ensure that only registered delegates were allowed inside the hall in order to maintain order and propriety in the discussions. According to most brethren, this year’s discussion appeared to be one of the most anticipated in recent years with the considerable number of edicts that were issued during the year that changed most of the jurisdiction’s practices and rules and affecting a considerable number of lodges and brethren.

ELECTION 2016

As expected and in accordance to custom, the sitting Grand Master, MW Tomas G. Rentoy III, exercising the collective electoral power of the AnCom plenary and to expedite the electoral process, elected all incumbent Grand Lights---from the Deputy Grand Master to the Junior Grand Warden, to the next higher position thus formalizing the ascension of RW Voltaire T. Gazmin to the Grand Oriental chair as the GLP’s 99th Grand Master of Masons.

The election then proceeded for the vacant position of Junior Grand Warden, wherein fourteen candidates from all over the archipelago were slimmed down to 16 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 seven and from that seven, three were destined to be chosen by ballot, which included among others, VW Edilberto P. Carabaccan of Nueva VizcayaLodge No. 144 (Northern Luzon), VW Nabil A. Tan of Bud Daho Lodge No. 102 (Western Mindanao), and VW Agapito S. Suan, Jr. of Macalajar Lodge No. 184 (Northern Mindanao).

And after two rounds of elections, which was conducted in record time in one of the swiftest GLP elections in recent years, VW Agapito S. Suan, Jr. of Cagayan De Oro was pronounced the winner and newly-elected Junior Grand Warden during the 100th Annual Communication.

TRIBUTE TO PAST GRAND MASTERS

Later that evening, MW Tomas G. Rentoy III in one of his last functions as Grand Master, hosted a Tribute to the Past Grand Masters at Taal Vista Hotel where the Grand Masters, Past Grand Masters, official representatives of Grand Masters of foreign jurisidictions as well as some of their companions were invited to pay tribute to the ever-growing line of illustrious Past Grand Masters of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Philippines.

Bountiful food and refreshments were served during the event, where MW Tomas G. Rentoy III was accompanied by the other GLP officers which included among others, RW Voltaire T. Gazmin, RW Abraham N. Tolentino, and RW Romeo S. Momo.

MW Rentoy, coming from one of the most exhaustive sessions of the AnCom plenary, instead of sharing a few words with the guests in attendance, offered a few songs to the delight of those in attendance.

ANCOM 2016: Day Three

The AnCom 2016 Saturday offered a more relaxed morning in contrast to the previous two days as two major events are all that is left to conclude this year’s 17

The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 annual communication. Philippines. A post-breakfast meeting of all incoming GLP officers was called by newly-elected Grand Master In his inaugural speech (see full speech on page ), MW Voltaire T. Gazmin in order to orient them of all MW Voltaire T. Gazmin narrated his interesting the incoming activities of the Grand Lodge as well as journey from a man of the military to a member of the to distribute their respective appointment papers and Craft to his gradual rise in the ranks of Freemasonry. guidance materials. He first expressed his gratitude to those that supported The appointed Director of Installation Ceremonies, his journey to the Grand East and gave special VW Antonio San Luis, Jr., also requested some of mention to his beloved spouse, Ms. Rhodora H. the incoming officers to stay for a practice of the Gazmin, for all the love, support and understanding installation ceremonies that will ensue later that day. that she has extended to him through these years and asked for one more year as he embarks on his new INSTALLED PAST MASTER’S DEGREE tour of duty as Grand Master.

Simultaneously, conferral of the Installed Past MW Gazmin also highlighted the theme of his Master’s Degree was likewise held at the TICC for administration which is to personify Freemasonry Past Masters as well as incumbent Worshipful Masters and and urged the brethren to think, speak and act in of subordinate lodges. accordance to what should be the Mason’s Way.

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS’ INSTALLATION “Brethren, our mission is to show to the outside world by our examples as Masons that there is a better way for men The April 30, 2016 afternoon stood witness to the to live. We cannot lead by actions if our actions within Installation of Grand Lodge Officers for the ensuing the fraternity are themselves undesirable,” he said. masonic year where appointed and elected GLP officers from District Grand Lecturers to the Grand Master of In ending his speech, the new Grand Master was Masons will be installed in their respective positions. met with a rousing applause and standing ovation, particularly those dignitaries sitting in the Grand East. To preside in this year’s installation, MW Voltaire T. Gazmin requested no less than one of the most revered Immediate Past Grand Master MW Tomas G. Rentoy Past Grand Masters----MW Rosendo C. Herrera, III was then awarded his Past Grand Master’s jewel PGM, GMH, to preside over the ceremonies as Grand by Grand Treasurer MW Rudyardo V. Bunda, PGM, Installing Officer. Completing the installation team GMH as he was thanked for his efforts towards the were MW Santiago T. Gabionza, Jr., PGM as Grand reformation initiatives of the Grand Lodge. Master of Ceremonies, MW Juanito P. Abergas, PGM as Asst. Grand Master of Ceremonies, and MW Dignitaries from foreign jurisidictions such as Australia, Pacifico B. Aniag, PGM as Installing Chaplain. Japan, China, Italy, California, New York, Washington, the Middle East, India and Scotland then offered their Like fine wine, MW Rosendo Herrera exhibited congratulations as well as gave their respective tokens dignified mastery of the gavel and microphone as to MW Voltaire T. Gazmin. And for the first time, the he installed MW Voltaire T. Gazmin as the 99th Grand Master’s Gala was opened to all brethren where Grand Master of Masons of the Most Worshipful everybody was treated to bountiful food, drinks as well Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the as music and dancing. 20 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 Grand Lodge Officers Grand Master Voltaire T. Gazmin Deputy Grand Master Abraham N. Tolentino Senior Grand Warden Romeo S. Momo Junior Grand Warden Agapito S. Suan, Jr. Grand Treasurer Rudyardo V. Bunda, PGM, GMH Grand Secretary Danilo D. Angeles, PGM, GMH Assistant Grand Treasurer Manuel Luis P. Idquival Assistant Grand Secretary Oliver V. Yabut Grand Auditor D. Paulo D. Vidanes Grand Chaplain Christian A. Arbues Grand Orator Jose A. Lim III Grand Marshal Benito T. Ramos Grand Historian Hernani B. Lopez, Sr. Grand Senior Deacon Norman T. Tagum Grand Junior Deacon Antonio T. Valencia Grand Standard Bearer Adonis G. Agreda Grand Sword Bearer Earl L. Navarro Grand Bible Bearer Emil Andrew M. Dela Rosa II Senior Grand Lecturer Abelardo L. Aportadera, Jr. Junior Grand Lecturers: NCR (MD NCR A & G) Arnel F. Pilapil NCR (MD NCR B, C & D) Fahad Al-Rashad S. Lucman NCR (MD NCR E & F) Orlando M. Mabutas Northern Luzon East Louie B. Gepilano Gualfredo C. Martinez Northern Luzon West Val C. Santos Simon B. Brown Central Luzon Neil C. Farala Laverne L. Manangbao Gerardo C. Feliciano Southern Luzon (Bicol) Noel E. Rosal Southern Luzon (Quezon, Batangas & Mindoro) Manuel C. Espiritu, Jr. Southern Luzon (Cavite & Laguna) Roberto C. Arceo Western Visayas Miller V. Serondo Luis Jose Maria D. Ong Central Visayas Dennis M. Siclot Eastern Visayas Walberto A. Honey, Sr. Western Mindanao Jacinto C. Tambolero Southern Mindanao Joseph Y. Ang Northern Mindanao Oscar V. Badelles 21 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1

22 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1

23 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 Caraga Reynaldo C. Ibanez Overseas Ricardo P. Idquival Senior Grand Steward Teodoro G. Salud Junior Grand Steward Celso G. Mandocdoc Grand Pursuivant George A. Brown Grand Organist Arnel Inocencio D. Cantos Grand Tyler Ricardo T. Misa Board for General Purposes President MW Rudyardo V. Bunda Vice President MW Reynato S. Puno Members MW Rosendo C. Herrera MW Pablo C. Ko, Jr. MW Danilo D. Angeles MW Pacifico B. Aniag MW Peter U. Lim Lo Suy Secretary RW Abraham N. Tolentino Corporate Appointments Chief of Staff VW Manuel Luis P. Idquival Executive Asst. to the Grand Master VW Sixto S. Esquivias IV Protocol Officer VW Juanito M. La Rosa Public Relations Officer VW Celso S. Viray Administrative Asst. to the GM per Edict VW John B. Llamas Building Administrator VW Homobono C. Pique VW Sim M. Cañonero Office Manager VW Jose Avelino I. Magbanua Web Master Bro. Antonio Miguel A. Almario Bro. Raymond L. Wong WB Ian Francis B. Loria Aide de Camp WB Julius Thomas A. Esquivias Bro. Raul Vicente L. Recto Bro. Segundo Z. Barte, Jr. Close-In Photographer Bro. Ruferick C. Somera

24 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 District Deputy Grand Masters National Capital Region NCR-A: Metro Manila VW Vladimir F. Pelaez NCR-B: Metro Manila VW Winston C. Chingkiat NCR-C: Metro Manila VW Cecil R. Chen NCR-D: Metro Manila VW Fernando C. Nicolas NCR-E: Metro Manila VW Benito G. Se Jr NCR-F: Metro Manila VW Renato H. Driz NCR-G: Metro Manila VW Amando L. Melo, Jr.

LUZON CAR Mountain Province, Kalinga, and Apayao VW Clarence C. Golocan RI Pangasinan VW Romeo G. Lim RI CAR Benguet and La Union VW Arturo V. Figueroa RI CAR Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, and Abra VW Allen D. Aguilar RII Nueva Vizcaya (South) VW Angelito C. Baclig RII Isabela (North) VW Severo B. Sinense RII Cagayan VW Eduardo V. Interior RII Isabela (South) / Quirino VW Tomas C. Bautista RII Nueva Vizcaya (North) and Ifugao VW Lupo B. Alava RIII Pampanga VW Narciso A. Abanador RIII Bataan VW Gregorio M. Sison RIII Zambales VW Elpidio Jose DR Manuel RIII Nueva Ecija (South) VW Alfredo C. Soriano RIII Bulacan VW Fernando D. Garcia III RIII Nueva Ecija (North) VW Renato C. Vergara RIII Tarlac VW Rampel Luis P. de Guzman RIV Cavite (East) VW Gonzalo Q. Mapili, Jr. RIV Cavite (West) VW Sebastian C. Siga-an RIV Laguna VW Lorenzo A. Javier RIV Quezon-Marinduque VW Manuel L. Chua RIV Batangas VW Romulo E. Torio, Jr. RIV Mindoro VW Roger D. King RIV Rizal VW Teodorico G. Castor RV Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes VW John C. Buendia RV Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate VW Eugene C. Cua

VISAYAS RVI Panay Island VW Ren T. Darroca RXVIII Negros Islands VW Aquiles M. Ascalon, Jr. RVII Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor VW Douglas S. Tan 25 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 RVIII Samar VW Antonio Uy-Sobremonte Jr. RVIII Leyte VW Thomas A. Cu

MINDANAO RIX Zamboanga del Sur and Sibuguey VW Anastacio M. Bahinting RIX Misamis Occidental and Zamboanga del Norte VW Claver A. Pajaren RIX and ARMM Zamboanga City, Sulu, Basilan, and Tawi - Tawi VW Atila S. Barre RX Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City VW Manuelito U. Acabal RX Misamis Oriental and Camiguin VW Isidro V. Butaslac Jr. RX Misamis Occidental VW Ronie M. Ortega RX and ARMM Lanao Province VW Alan U. Buenaventura RX Bukidnon (North) VW Bartolome M. Tiongson RX Bukidnon (South) VW Magdalino Q. Gadrinab RXI Davao del Sur and Davao City VW Julius Voltaire Rommel C. Cubelo RXI Davao del Norte and Oriental VW Julius S. Valdez RXII North Cotabato and Cotabato City VW Romegildo B. Alocelja, Jr. RXII SoCSKSarGen VW Roland P. Asperga R XIII Agusan and Surigao VW Benigno J. Dagani Jr.

OVERSEAS Guam VW Edward R. Camacho Japan VW Hiroshi Yagi Japan (Camp Zama) VW David L. Ingram, Jr. Korea VW Herminigildo R. Flancia Marianas Island VW Wilfredo G. Ching

District Grand Lecturers National Capital Region

NCR-A: Metro Manila VW Augusto F. Buenaventura VW Rolando C. Rodolfo VW Rommel B. Desamero VW Richard J. Cane VW Isaias B. Ubana II

NCR-B: Metro Manila VW Juan Arnel D. Garcia VW Reummel M. Sison VW Crisostomo C. Beltran VW Ramon C. Cristobal 26 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 NCR-C: Metro Manila VW Bon Dan D. Chan VW Erick Q. de Guzman VW Michael Francis M. Perez VW Kenneth G. Tieng VW Malaya V. Francisco VW Gil B. Mendoza

NCR-D: Metro Manila VW Jose D. Ramos VW Ricardo Z. Lumbre Jr. VW Marcelito SM Pescante VW Jeffrey N. Co VW Joel Edward Gaspar Sr. VW Karlo D. Domingo

NCR-E: Metro Manila VW Rodrigo V. Macatangay Jr. VW Noel R. Loyola VW Arthur Allan G. Ponce VW Jose Eugenio B. Illenberger

NCR-F: Metro Manila VW Pablo C. Duldulao VW Emelito M. Felix VW Gerard A. Ceballos VW Felix L. Fernando VW Jonathan S. Presquito

NCR-G: Metro Manila VW Francisco C. Isip VW Edito C. Granada VW Ferdinand F. Pacis VW Jaime DC Miguel VW Edgardo C. Espiritu VW Sandro Jay DC. Tafalla VW Venustiano C. Gonzales

LUZON

CAR Mountain Province, Kalinga, and Apayao VW Jaime B. Dulay VW Julius C. Garcia VW Manuel P. Madio

RI Pangasinan VW Gilbert P. Botardo VW Buenaventura DG Benavides III VW Guanson Y. Lo VW Gerald G. Meneses 27

The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 RI CAR Benguet and La Union VW Ivan Kim B. Alwit VW Ronaldo T. Vergara

RI CAR Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, and Abra VW Arturo H. Hermosa VW Gavino A. Castaneda

RII Nueva Vizcaya (South) VW Zoilo L. Carabbacan, Jr. VW Antonio V. Burton

RII Isabela (North) / Quirino VW Geronimo M. Palce VW Bonifacio R. Benitez VW Emerson V. Barcellano VW Resurrecion C. Mariano

RII Cagayan VW Miller C. Tanguilan VW Michael D. Callueng VW Sergio M. Soriano Jr VW Wilfred C. Adquilen Jr.

RII Isabela (South) / Quirino VW Emmanuel M. Salamanca VW Augosto P. Bayubay VW Ronald B. Uy VW Paciano P. Bacani VW Glen O. Mandac

RII Nueva Vizcaya (North) and Ifugao VW Oscar M. Nava VW Telesforo T. Pugong Jr. VW Jeremias C. Rosete

RIII Pampanga VW Arnel T. Calaguas VW Roberto A. Payawal VW Nicanor S. Targa

RIII Bataan VW Romeo G. Caragay VW Mabini R. Pulido Jr.

RIII Zambales VW Pablito T. Villarin VW Roberto L. Correos VW Fortunato T. Servano VW Jordan M. Dizon VW Joseph B. Laceda VW Kriztopher John K. Fernandez

30 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 RIII Nueva Ecija (South) VW Jose R. Carlos VW Allan Ray P. Guevarra VW Augusto M. Yalung VW Aquilino M. Valino Jr. VW Danilo V. Costa VW Arnold Ateneo V. Lucas VW Renato B. Puno, Jr. VW Joselito G. Cruz VW Norberto D. Coronel VW Efren D. De Leon VW Epitacio C. Sulfelix

RIII Bulacan VW Reynaldo M. Cabauatan, Jr. VW Carl B. Badillo VW Elmer F. Arellano VW Dennis P. Vergara VW Elmer A. Vitug

RIII Nueva Ecija (North) VW Virgilio C. Dacquel VW Eliseo L. Ruiz VW Ariel C. Bartolome VW Froilan P. Tolentino VW Oliver P. Ang VW Leonard R. Banago VW Sulpicio B. Bugtong

RIII Tarlac VW Sol P. Palomo, Jr. VW Salvador L. Ayes VW Kenneth B. Yambao VW Christopher P. Tayag VW Jimson R. Soriano VW Nelson M. Abraham

RIV Cavite (East) VW Sherwin C. de Joya VW Nathan S. Lim VW Reynan A. Malia VW Ferdinand V. Lagunday VW Benedicto F. Pana, Jr. VW Victor R. Igos

RIV Cavite (West) VW Danilo T. Estapon VW Roy E. Castronuevo VW Ariel C. Avilla 31

The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 VW Renato L. Escurel VW Raul J. Belesario VW Fideles D. Sallidao

RIV Laguna VW Ian R. Galarosa VW Norman T. Tolentino VW Winston P. Uy VW Jaime P. Fajardo

RIV Quezon-Marinduque VW Ramon C. Talaga III VW Efren C. Nalda VW Robinson L. Chua

RIV Batangas VW Virgilio Nolasco H. Aguila VW Armand T. Arias VW Armando P. Angeles Jr.

RIV Mindoro VW Vicente C. Guerrero VW Nelson S. Gabutero Jr.

RIV Rizal VW Arnel V. Querubin VW Gustav Joseph O. Bocek VW Ser Arnel S. Cruz

RV Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and VW Nestor B. Buque Jr. Catanduanes VW Melvin C. Asis VW Raoul A. Herras

RV Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate VW Jorge T. Dioneda VW Ralfranco L. Gerona

VISAYAS

RVI Panay Island VW Guillermo J. Matiling Jr. VW Oliver L. Cambas VW J. T. Gabin VW Joenilo O. Sulpico

RXVIII Negros Islands VW Fred L. Trajeras VW Don T. Ramas-Uypitching VW Romeo N. Guinto

RVII Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor VW Basil B. Ting 36 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 VW Bryan Y. Teson VW Jose Oliver B. Yu VW Florendo B. Opay

RVIII Samar VW Michael C. Uy VW Teofilo G. Yambao

RVIII Leyte VW Rafael N. Lucero VW Manuel T. Salazar

MINDANAO

RIX Zamboanga del Sur and Sibuguey VW Marcos M. Bahinting VW Dimapuno L. Magangcong VW Ruel J. Gimony

RIX and X Misamis Occidental and Zamboanga del VW Ronnie L. Gurdiel Norte VW Olympio A. Mangao

RIX and ARMM Zamboanga City, Sulu, Basilan, and VW Stephen L. Kaw Taw i-Taw i VW Jose Rizalino L. Ortega VW Nonito S. Manuel

RX Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City VW Florentino G. Diputado VW Alphon R. Lagamon VW Julius Ceasar E. Platon VW Emilio A. Tumala II

RX Misamis Oriental and Camiguin VW Kristoffer Eric D. Abellanosa VW Mark R. Valdevilla VW Carlo Dominic V. Lim VW Jesus B. Unabia

RX Misamis Occidental VW Jaime B. Baldomero VW Joseph C. Migrinio

RX and ARMM Lanao Province VW Paniares U. Adap VW Jaime P. Magnetico VW Arassad M. Macumbal

RX Bukidnon (North) VW Anton Randolph O. Unabia VW Ricarte V. Adalin

37 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 RX Bukidnon (South) VW Antonio A. Casabuena VW Rowel P. Orlino

RXI Davao del Sur and Davao City VW Reynaldo A. Ramos VW George M. Cabebe VW Merlindo R. Tinapay

RXI Davao del Norte and Oriental VW William M. Angos VW Felix V. Luchavez

RXII North Cotabato and Cotabato City VW Gilberto B. Tuzon VW Jose Marie R. Simangan VW Delos A. Martinez Jr.

RXII SocSKSarGen VW Rodrigo G. Javier VW Rodolfo G. Agreda VW Jimmy C. Andang

RXIII Agusan and Surigao VW Ariel DT. Verano VW Junrey E. Labatos VW Leoncio C. Bautista Jr.

OVERSEAS

Guam VW Roque C. Ogo

Japan VW Marlon Malicdem

Japan (Camp Zama) VW Napoleon A. Sison

Korea VW George E. Stillwell, Jr.

Marianas Island VW Romeo D. Malasarte

38 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1

MW Voltaire T. Gazmin For love of flag, family and the fraternity “We must cultivate our own garden. When man was put in the Garden of Eden he was put there so that he should work, which proves that man was not born to rest.” These were the immortal words of French enlightenment writer François-Marie Arouet, also known by his nom de plume Voltaire.

It speaks no less than man’s continuous mission of service and labor of improving the world around--a description that best befits the goals of every worthy and diligent craftsman of our noble Order and words that best describe the steller life of our current Grand Master—MW Voltaire Tuvera Gazmin. 39 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 THE BIRTH OF A SOLDIER Gazmin discreetly monitored Aquino’s status and welfare while adhering to his oath as a professional Voltaire T. Gazmin was born to Brig. Gen. Segundo soldier and following conditions set under Martial L. Gazmin, Sr., PA and Petra T. Gazmin on October Law. 22, 1944 in the town of Moncada, Tarlac. Patriotism indeed runs in the family as his father, who also had a As a Tarlac native himself, Gazmin has always nurtured distinguished career in the Philippine Army, and was a special relationship with the Aquinos of Tarlac as also survivor of the Bataan Death March during the then Sen. Aquino served as principal sponsor when Second World War, joined the now-defunct Philippine Lt. Gazmin married his fiancée, Rhodora Hernández Constabulary after his service in the military. in December 21, 1969.

He took his primary education at St. Paul College in During the term of the late President Corazon 1949 and later pursued his elementary education at Aquino, Gazmin was tasked to handle her security the University of the Philippines Integrated School requirements and to command the newly-organized in 1954. He took up his secondary education at the Presidential Security Group (PSG). As commander University of the Philippines High School in 1958. of the PSG, then-Col. Gazmin helped defend President Aquino’s government from at least seven His soon-to-be decorated military life took a detour coup d’etat attempts, ending in December of 1989, as MW Voltaire Gazmin spent two years at the marked as the bloodiest attempt to overthrow the University of the Philippines as a B.S. Chemistry democratic government of Aquino. student until he later decided to bid for a slot at the Philippine Military Academy, where he was He also served as intelligence officer in various units successfully admitted in 1964. He graduated from the Academy on March 24, 1968, choosing to serve in the Philippine Army.

THE OFFICER COMETH

MW Voltaire Gazmin started his military career as Team Leader of the Home Defense Forces Group (Airborne) based in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija province.

When then-President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law on September 21, 1972, Senator Benigno Aquino and several high-ranking politicians from the opposition were arrested and imprisoned. Aquino and Senator José Diokno were secretly transferred from Fort Bonifacio in Taguig to Fort Ramón Magsaysay in General Tino, Nueva Ecija. Gazmin was at the time the Detachment Commander of the 1st Military Security Detachment, Military Security Unit of the MW Gazmin as a young military officer. Army. As Sen. Aquino’s jailer at their detention, 40 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 of the Army and also distinguished himself during Ribbons, nine Visayas Anti-Dissidence Campaign the insurgency war in Mindanao. Medals and Ribbons, eight Mindanao Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medals and Ribbons, the Presidential RISE OF THE GENERAL Citation Badge, two Philippine Army Command Plaque in 1997 & 1998, one American Legion He would later get appointed as Defense and Armed Citation of Appreciation, one AFP parachutist badge Forces attaché at the Philippines’ Embassy in and countless number of Letter of Commendations. Washington, D.C. He got his first star at this post. FROM MILITARY TO DIPLOMACY After his tour overseas, he served as Brigade Commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, 1st Having barely retired from the military service, his Infantry division based in Isabela, Basilan province. diplomatic acumen would catapult him to become the Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia, that On September 1998, Gazmin was appointed began in May 2002 and ended for good in June 2004, Commander of the Southern Luzon Command the designation that he performed with honor and (SOLCOM) after serving as the Regimental distinction in the service of the Filipino people. Commander of the Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) and concurrently, the Commanding DEFENDER OF GOVERNMENT AND OF THE General of the Special Operations Command of the CONSTITUTION Philippine Army in 1997. For another tour of public duty, MW Voltaire Gazmin Commanding General of the Philippine Army was called from a relatively peaceful farm life to assume the post as 35th Defense Secretary under the Upon the appointment by President Joseph Estrada administration of President Benigno Aquino III on on July 13, 1999, Gazmin assumed the post as the June 30, 2010. His designation as Defense secretary 40th Commanding General of the Philippine Army, was confirmed by the 24-member Commission on and retired as a Lieutenant General on his 56th Appointments on February 23, 2011. birthday on October 22, 2000—the mandatory age of retirement for officers in the Philippines’ military. As Defense Secretary, Gazmin started his term with a commitment towards transparency and expediting Military Awards and Commendations processes without cutting corners.

As a highly-decorated and distinguished officer, Programs and Policies Gazmin was awarded the Philippine Legion of Honor (Degree of Commander), the Distinguished Conduct Modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines: Star, the Distinguished Service Star, three Gold Gross Under his watch, the long overdue modernization of Medal, a Bronze Cross Medal, Military Merit medals, the Armed Forces of the Philippines was being given eleven Military Commendation Medal, Long Service a priority. The 15-year AFP Modernization Act of Medals, Combat Commander’s Kagitingan Badges, 1995 was set to expire as a law in 2011 including Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medals and Ribbons. the allocations for the modernization but under the Aquino administration, a P75 Billion 5-year program As an Army Commander, he was also awarded nine was introduced that would give the AFP its long Luzon Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medals and overdue hardware upgrade. 41 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 Establishing a Lasting Peace: Being a career soldier and a witness to the decades-long insurgency in Mindanao, Gazmin pledged support for the Aquino government’s initiative to resume peace talks with the communist insurgents and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

He would implement President Aquino’s directives to appoint and install new commanders in the various military positions including the post of Chief of Staff, AFP, in order to effect maximum efficiency and effectiveness in the professional management of the Armed Forces.

KNOCKING ON THE DOORS OF FREEMASONRY

The pursuit of the degrees ofF reemasonry has always provided an additional challenge for those who nurture a successful career in the military. Yet, his THE ORIGINAL TEAM VTG: The Grand career as a professional soldier has never served as a Master, along with his lovely wife Sis. deterrent to the then determined good person, Bro. Rhodie, poses with members of the Gazmin Voltaire Gazmin. family. He was born into Masonry on August 14, 1982 when “Voltaire Gazmin has made himself he was raised as a Master Mason in Maranaw Lodge No. 111 in Iligan City. an instrument of the Mason’s charity, fraternal, educational, social, and However, his duty to his mother lodge had to give way to the exigencies of his position as a military officer character-building society. A true and his duty to country. Yet, this has never stopped Mason at heart, he has his own him from pursuing his mission as a mason when the legacies: A plan for every battle that opportunity allows. he won, offered a sacrifice for every During his travels across the country, he led good that he did, and paid a price for in organizing military and police masons in areas where he was stationed. Among such every dream he lived. He established undertakings were the organization of Club 370 a path of leadership that was blazed of Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija as well as the with excellence and he accomplished Banahaw Square and Compass Club in Lucena City, Quezon Province which he did when he was his missions with the welfare of his still the Commanding General of the Southern men close to his heart.” Luzon Command. 42 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 He was a member of the South Travellers Club in the Philippines. 1994 which paved the way for the institution of what is now Palanyag Lodge No. 323 of Paranaque City In April 2013, during the 97th Annual Communication the following year of which he was among its charter held in Iloilo City, Iloilo, MW Voltaire Gazmin was members. In 2006, he ascended to the Oriental Chair elected by the brethren to the position of Junior of the lodge as its Worshipful Master. Grand Warden.

Upon descending the Oriental Chair, the following As one of the Grand Lodge’s lights, MW Voltaire year, he was assigned as Grand Lodge Inspector of Gazmin has supported the various reform agenda of Gen. Artemio Ricarte Lodge No. 322. his predecessors as well as encouraging the brethren to uphold the noble principles of the Masonic His sojourn as a mason and as a soldier led him to institution in more than three decades of masonic foreign shores where he joined the Scottish Rite of labor. Alexandria, Virginia, the Loudon Royal Arch No. 55 of Virginia, Piedmont Commanders No. 26 of Past Grand Lodge Orator VW Teodoro “Teddy” Salud Manassas, Virginia, and Kena Temple of the Ancient of Cavite has eloquently immotalized our Grand Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Temple in Master in the following words:“Voltaire Gazmin has Fairfax, Virginia. made himself an instrument of the Mason’s charity, fraternal, educational, social, and character-building In July 3, 2008, MW Voltaire Gazmin was invited society. A true Mason at heart, he has his own legacies: and advanced as a member of the Royal order of A plan for every battle that he won, offered a sacrifice Scotland of the Provincial Grand Lodge of the for every good that he did, and paid a price for every Philippines which is located at the Scottish Rite dream he lived. He established a path of leadership Temple in Manila. Membership to this Order is only that was blazed with excellence and he accomplished by invitation and there can only be a maximum of 50 his missions with the welfare of his men close to his members at any given time in the Provincial Lodge of heart.”

IT STARTED HERE: The triumphant VW Gazmin, when he won the JGW election a few years ago in Iloilo City.

43 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1

ByBy improvingimproving ourselvesourselves everyevery day day in in thoughts, thoughts, inin speech,speech, inin mannermanner oror inin every every helpful helpful way, way, wewe areare boundbound toto developdevelop thatthat outstanding outstanding trait trait ofof impeccable impeccable integrity integrity ofof character character by by which which allall Masons Masons should should be be knownknown for,for, admiredadmired andand emulated.emulated.

44 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1

Th i s y e a r ’s Ma s o n i c Th e m e :

“Personify Freemasonry. Be the best person through the best way. Think, speak, and act the Mason’s way.” THE MASONIC THEME ADOPTED BY GRAND MASTER VOLTAIRE T. GAZMIN DURING HIS TERM IS SIMPLE YET PROFOUND. IT BASICALLY DWELLS ON OUR CONSCIOUS PERFORMANCE OF OUR OBLIGATIONS AS MASONS AND CALLS FOR THE CULTIVATION OF THE VISIBLE TRAITS OF A REALLY GOOD MAN. To begin with, a man upon becoming a Mason Internally, this results into a breakdown of our likewise becomes the visible representation of duty to the lodge, to the brethren and to the Craft, Freemasonry to all within his circle. As Masonry with telling effect on the over-all reputation of our will be judged by the world by the character of its Fraternity. The unwanted manifestations are quite members, a mason must therefore think, speak and evident. Year in and year out, we now suffer the act in a manner worthy of his membership in our spectacle of bad and undesirable attitude displayed Fraternity. He must remember that he has entered by some in the halls of our craft. Inside the lodges, into an obligation sworn before God to live strictly we see private piques and quarrels, prolonged according to the great tenets and teachings of our absences, non-payment of dues, commission of institution. fraud against a brother or a lodge, evasion of the duty to help, wanton violation of rules and edicts Many of us have become complacent or lax in the pertaining to petitioners. Outside, some commit observance of our self-imposed duties and obligation nefarious practices in their profession or in their as members of our ancient craft. Unwittingly, social interaction which put our fraternity in a Freemasonry has been wrongly regarded by some of very bad light. We cannot allow all this to go on us as just another ordinary fraternity of man. There unabated. is no greater disservice to our craft. Let us not forget that we belong to an ancient and very reputable Having assumed a sacred obligation, we should worldwide society which requires exacting moral consider it not as a drudgery, but a challenge, an standards of its members and which imposes the invitation – literally an opportunity which demands performance of well-defined as well as unwritten set specific achievement. It is the opportunity to help of obligations. Unfortunately, some of us deem our those less fortunate than ourselves, to correct some duties and obligations as mere ornamental chores, faults which irritate others or to improve ourselves instead of viewing them with the utter seriousness by broadening our horizon through study and self- and sacredness that they deserve. improvement in the ways of our Craft. 45 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 Personification of Freemasonry comes in many to the Great Almighty and to follow the Volume of varied forms. For the benefit of our family and loved the Sacred Law as the great law of the brotherhood; ones, we owe them an obligation of keeping ourselves to be peaceable citizens that owe undying allegiance mentally, physically, socially, spiritually and morally to our country; and as Brotherhood of Man is the fit – clean and healthy in all respects! F or the benefit cornerstone of our Fraternity, it behooves upon us to of our Lodge – we owe some measure of overt support treat others with the same respect and consideration in all its laudable activities; to display proper attire with which we would like to be treated. and demeanor; to attend meetings with punctuality; to promptly pay our dues; to maintain good behavior The lessons imparted by our symbols and rituals are in the Temple and the Ante-room; to observe proper great tools to remind us of our Masonic duties and etiquette in all Masonic duties; to maintain sobriety help guide us in the straight path of a really good and discipline in our fellowship activities; to be man. By improving ourselves every day in thoughts, temperate in speech and to display courtesy and in speech, in manner or in every helpful way, we are affability to all our brethren. bound to develop that outstanding trait of impeccable integrity of character by which all Masons should be And for the benefit of Masonry in general, we all have known for, admired and emulated. the obligation to create a favorable image in order that the world may know that upon becoming a Mason, When a mason passes by, let us hear others say - we have become a better man. And so it should be “There goes a mason, there goes a good man”. And second nature to us to ever display devotion we owe our mission is done.

THE GRAND MASTER SPEAKS: MW Voltaire Gazmin, addressing the GLP officers for the first time as Grand Master. 46 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1

Grand Lodge of the Philippines Strategic Focus Masonic Year 2016-2017

VISION To Preserve the Integrity of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines and Maintain it as a Strong, Unified and Supreme Masonic Authority in Philippine Freemasonry.

TERM OBJECTIVE To put in place a highly stable and appropriate internal mechanism for a more effective, efficient and highly responsive accomplishment of the goals and programs of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines.

DIRECTIONS year development plan envisioned under the past administrations, the GLP shall remain focused in the CONTINUATION OF THE 7-POINT AGENDA fulfillment of the following established programs: 1. Improvement of the Selection Process of In line with the agreement for a sustained five- Petitioners; 47 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 2. Establishment of Adequate Mentorship SELECTION PROCESS Program for Candidates, Entered The Grand Lodge shall cause the issuance of the Apprentices and Fellowcrafts; following implementing manuals: 3. Continuing Masonic Education for Regular 1. Manual in the Selection of Petitioners and Masons; Guidelines in the Progression of Candidates 4. Enhanced Family Involvement in Masonic for Masonic Degrees; Affairs; 2. Comprehensive Instructions to the 5. Strengthening of Relationships with Investigating Committee; Appendant Bodies and other Masonic 3. Code of Conduct in the Treatment of associations; Petitioners and Candidates for Degrees 6. Improvement in Administrative and Financial Processes; and MENTORSHIP OF CANDIDATES 7. Enhancement of Electoral Reforms 1. A permanent committee of mentors in each subordinate lodge shall be instituted IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPLEMENTARY composed of three Past Masters whose THRUST ON FRATERNAL SERVICE AND primary duty is to monitor, instruct and ASSISTANCE guide the progress of candidates for degrees. The Grand Lodge and its subordinate lodges 2. The Grand Lodge shall devise a shall focus on the following charitable relief and comprehensive orientation seminar on assistance: Freemasonry to be held twice a year at 1. Community and Public Projects the Grand Lodge or at the District level, i. Assistance to Public Education to be attended largely by petitioners ii. Support to Law Enforcement and candidates but likewise opened to Agencies members of families of masons and families iii. Medical Missions to Depressed of candidates, students or other persons Communities interested about the craft. It shall feature iv. Emergency Response to Victims of both Masonic luminaries and expert Natural Calamities lecturers in Masonic studies. 2. Relief to Worthy Destitute Brothers i. Financial Assistance to Victims of CONTINUING MASONIC EDUCATION AND Calamities GROWTH ii. Augmentation of current Death and Medical Benefits The following programs shall be implemented iii. Monitoring of Relief to Widows and to enhance the Masonic knowledge and skills of Orphans individual members: 3. Establishment of columbaries at the 1. Observance of suggested monthly topics by Masonic Cemetery the District Grand Lecturers; 2. The suggested monthly topics shall be IMPLEMENTING PROGRAMS complemented by a Masonic lecture by a lodge member on relevant Masonic IMPROVEMENT OF PETITIONER education topics to be assigned by the Worshipful Master; 48 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 3. Within a period of thirty (30) days from and sports competition; the installation of the District Officers, 3. Public seminars such as Masonic orientation the DDGMs, under the auspices of the and public installation of officers; Lodge of concerned Junior Grand Lecturers, shall Remembrance; etc. cause the holding of a mandatory Lodge 4. encourage attendance and involvement of Management Seminar to be attended by children and wives in appendant bodies all lights and officers, including new master and clubs such DeMolay, Rainbow for masons in their respective districts. The Girls, Jobs Daughters, Amaranth, etc.; GLP shall formulate and prescribe the 5. organize social affairs such asL adies Night, seminar module. Valentine’s Party, Christmas Party, Ateng’s 4. After the conduct of Lodge Management Club, etc. Seminar, the DDGMs shall within the next 6. enlist support and participation of family in 30 days convene a Lodge of Instruction charity fund raising activities; to be attended by all lodges. The GLP shall formulate and prescribe the seminar ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATIONAL module. REFORMS 5. The DDGMs shall nominate to the IMES five names of potential lecturers to 1. PRO-ACTIVE STANDING compose the pool of expert and authorized COMMITTEES - The various Grand lecturers in the jurisdiction at large. Those Lodge Standing Committees shall have a selected shall be in charge of coordinating mandatory monthly business meeting and and cascading vital IMES modules of shall submit a report of their activities to instruction at the district level. the Grand Master thru the Grand Secretary. 6. The GLIs shall strictly comply with the Whenever necessary, they will report check list of requirements for every stated and recommend to the Grand Master the meeting of lodges and shall call up the issuance of necessary edicts and circulars lodge’s attention for any deficiencies as on matters covering their respective noted, such as, absence of installed officers, jurisdictional mandate. Any elective Grand unauthorized reading of monitors, mistakes Lodge officer, including the Senior Grand in the execution of prescribed rituals, etc. Lecturer, shall have the authority to attend In all instances, he shall endeavor to render or act as co-presiding officer when present a short instruction for the correction of in any committee hearing. works. 2. fasT COMMUNICATIONS - The Grand Lodge shall ensure that all edicts, circulars FAMILY INVOLVEMENT and other directives are immediately uploaded to the Grand Lodge website. The Lodges shall implement greater participation of family downloading of such data by the subordinate members involving them in the following activities: lodges and the reading of the same in the 1. scheduled lodge charity activities such as business meeting of lodges shall have the medical and dental missions; support to same legal effect as a regular Grand Lodge public education, and other community correspondence. The GLP shall likewise assistance projects; continue the computerization of all records, 2. lodge family affairs such as lodge outings reports and other documentations. 49 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 3. sTANDARDIZATION OF MASONIC Auditor shall submit his Audit Report MATERIALS - The Grand Lodge shall directly to the Board for General Purposes. cause the official and standard issuance of 2. The GrandL odge shall require that the result official ritual monitors and other Masonic of all fund-raising activities of lodges shall publications for the standard observance of be properly reported to the Grand Lodge. all lodges and members. In the case of ritual To augment the finances of the lodge, all and floor works, the GLP shall ensure that net proceeds of fund raising activities shall the same is embodied in a single reference be deposited strictly to the account of the material. lodge which directly conducted it. The 4. adVANCED PROGRAMMING OF districts shall be discouraged from holding MASONIC ACTIVITIES - The Grand competing fund raising activities within Lodge shall fix in advance the exact schedule their jurisdiction. Instead, the districts of Masonic activities to be observed by the shall supervise and approve all fund raising GLP and the subordinate lodges during the activities and be entitled to a reasonable Masonic year. The Grand Master and other share of the proceeds in order to augment Grand Lodge Officers shall endeavor to its operational funds. schedule official visits to Masonic districts 3. The Grand Lodge shall examine the in the entire jurisdiction and communicate operations of subordinate lodges with such schedule in advance to all concerned. negative financial conditions and shall 5. jusT AND SPEEDY DISPUTE devise or recommend appropriate actions. RESOLUTIONS - The Grand Lodge shall come up with an updated inventory SUPPORT TO APPENDANT BODIES AND of pending dispute cases or charges for MASONIC ASSOCIATIONS unmasonic conduct on file and shall require the appropriate committee to hold regular 1. The Grand Lodge shall encourage hearings or monthly stated meetings for membership to and active involvement the just and speedy disposition of cases. of masons for all recognized appendant 6. uPDATING OF THE CONSTITUTION bodies. - The Grand Lodge shall require the 2. The Grand Lodge shall encourage the publication of the latest updated version accreditation of all masonic associations of the Constitution to take into account all and clubs operating within its jurisdiction approved edicts which impacted/amended and shall devise appropriate rules and certain provisions and ensure that the conditions to ensure that their operations Constitution shall remain as the foremost coincide with the objectives of the Grand repository of masonic laws and regulations Lodge and the purposes of Masonry in in this jurisdiction. general.

FINANCIAL REFORMS ELECTORAL REFORMS

1. The Grand Auditor shall formulate The GrandL odge shall cause the review of the result of appropriate mechanisms to ensure that all our immediate electoral process and shall recommend funds and properties are duly accounted appropriate adjustments or enhancements to existing for and properly safeguarded. The Grand rules as may be warranted. 50 The New Grand Master’s Speech

TheThe mason’smason’s wayway hashas servedserved meme wellwell andand hashas givengiven meme aa greatgreat andand importantimportant perspectiveperspective and and life life rulesrules to to live live by. by. I I nownow wishwish toto returnreturn thethe favorfavor byby servingserving thisthis lastlast tourtour ofof dutyduty ofof mymy lifelife inin thethe bestbest wayway possible.possible. The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1

The inaugural address of MW Voltaire T. Gazmin, Grand Master of Masons of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines given last April 30, 2016 at the Grand Ballroom, Taal Vista Hotel, Tagaytay City, Cavite Most Worshipful Sirs, Right Worshipful Sirs; as a civil servant, I have led my life conscious of Very Worshipful Sirs; Worshipful Sirs; Brethren; Freemasonry’s great tenets. In a very short while, dignitaries in the east and on the floor; distinguished I would finally retire from a long life of public guests; ladies and gentlemen: service.

Good evening! By then, I would have served six presidents of our great Republic, most of whom are aware of my It is my honor and great pride to address you all membership in / and passion for Masonry. And I tonight, and for the very first time, as the Grand Master hope that in their eyes and in the eyes of those who of Masons in the jurisdiction of the Philippines. knew of my Masonic association, I have made a good account of what a mason is. Many of you know that I spent a great deal of my life as a professional soldier for our beloved Republic. The mason’s way has served me well and has given I became a soldier 53 years ago. And as a soldier, I me a great and important perspective and life rules to have seen firsthand the ugliness of human conflict. live by. I now wish to return the favor by serving this I witnessed the devastation wrought by battles, the last tour of duty of my life in the best way possible. destruction of lives and properties, the dislocation of business and communities, along with the vicious And so today, it is with deepest honor that I assume cycle of vengeance and violence created among the the responsibility of the Grand Oriental Chair, and combatants. to act as the Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Amidst this background, thirty four (34) years ago, Philippines for the grand Masonic year 2016 –2017. or in 1982, in my ardent aspiration to become a better person, I sought admission in the sanctuary I thank from the bottom of my heart all the brethren of Maranao Lodge no. 111, which is a lodge situated in this Masonic jurisdiction for what I consider as the in Mindanao where I was then serving active combat greatest distinction upon my person. duty. That was a great turning point in my life asI was accepted and introduced to the noble and lofty world I also wish to thank my mother lodge, Maranao of freemasonry. Lodge no. 111, for taking me into its fold; my dual lodge, Palanyag Lodge no. 323, for electing me as While my alma mater – the Philippine military its master, enabling me to go up the progressive line academy, taught me the code of courage, integrity of leadership in our Craft; to King Solomon Lodge and loyalty, Freemasonry, through my mother lodge, No. 150 and Masonic District NCR-G, for their able patiently inculcated in me the tenets that all mankind handling of the AnCom 2016 hosting. The VTG should live by – devotion to God, the brotherhood team – you know who you are – thank you for your of man, the practice of charity, and the observance of time, patience and perseverance! truth. But most of all, may I in all gratefulness commend the In my profession as a soldier, diplomat, and lately love, patience and understanding of my better half, 52 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 Rhodie, who stood by me at all times, good or bad, The opportunity to labor in unison with our three whose steadfast support enabled me to accomplish (3) immediate Past Grand Masters has given me the all my missions in life. Being a wife of a soldier is chance to offer my honest views and inputs on what harsh enough, but the last six years of coping with I believe to be crucial reforms that are needed by our the tremendous demands of my job is sheer sacrifice. Craft which are now being implemented. But I have to ask you for another year of patience, my love. But all these are works in progress. We have made good strides but we are still far from the desired As I assume my duties, brethren allow me to briefly end result. As we go along, we will have to do some go over with you on my personal view of the present more adjustments and fine tuning. And I intend state of Philippine freemasonry. to vigorously pursue the previously set long-term institutional reforms in our craft as agreed with my You will all agree with me that Philippine Freemasonry predecessors. today is very much vibrant, active, and progressive. We have successfully nurtured the freedom secured In between, there are some crucial issues that require to us by the heroism of our celebrated brethren. We mere refinement of our systems and processes. Let have passed with flying colors our centennial year of me share with you some policies I wish to institute for Masonic existence in this great Filipino nation. We the possible improvements of the way we do things. have expanded the number of our active lodges which now total to about 380 lodges in the jurisdiction and On the area of finance and fiscal management still growing. And when it comes to passion, – emphasis should be on transparency and loyalty and dedication to our Craft, there is no doubt accountability in the handling of our funds and that the Filipino brethren would rank among the top properties. Our scant resources should not be spent in the entire world of Masonry. unjustly.

In short, Philippine Freemasonry is very well On lodge administration – we need to do a established and thriving nicely as an institution. We performance audit of our lodges. Lodges reporting have but one supreme grand lodge and it is our sworn negative financial statements, lodges who cannot pay duty to always maintain its strength and integrity. their dues, lodges with anemic membership, lodges who always fail to complete their stated meetings in But not everything is rosy as we would like it to a Masonic year– all these we need to look into and be. You and I know that we have many issues and address decisively. challenges that urgently need to be resolved if we are to be truly entitled to be called as the refuge of good On lodges under dispensation – there is a need to men desiring to be better. streamline the policies on the creation of new lodges and the rules to be observed by them in the interim. I should be candid to let you know that from the Lodges under dispensation should always be a tenures in office of MW Juanito Espino, Jr.; MW Alan welcome development. But the present processes that Purisima; and MW Tomas Rentoy III, I have been lead to it are often the source of bickering, suspicion part of the Grand Lodge leadership who agreed on a and confusion among the brethren. New lodges must sustained five-year development program to address translate into the addition of worthy members and the pestering issues and problems besetting our the expansion of the interest of Masonry, not division Craft. of brethren and creation of Masonic kingdoms for 53 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1

THE MASON’S WAY: The newly-installed Grand Master, MW Voltaire T. Gazmin urged members of the Craft to personify the principles and lessons of Freemasonry.

selfish agenda. rushed. The Grand Master, theD eputy Grand Master and the Grand Wardens are ex-officio chairmen On Grand Lodge communications – our official or members of these important committees. They interaction with subordinate lodges must be vastly should not meet only at their will and pleasure. improved, if not completely overhauled. Why do Rather, they should have an established schedule of our circulars, edicts and decisions take a long time mandatory stated meetings, so that their respective to officially reach the lodges? It is only our tenets mandates could be performed well. Rules will be and philosophies that are ancient, not the way we devised along this line. communicate. If the entire world is online, digitized or connected instantly, so should we. On our Masonic education program – we shall nurture the contribution of IMES as the foremost On standing Grand Lodge committees – we need standing instrument of the grand lodge in imparting to energize the standing Grand Lodge committees. classroom-type instruction through its established Most of the crucial businesses of the Grand Lodge are curriculum. In the subordinate lodges, there should handled by indispensable committees composed of be two sets of instructions – one handled by the members chosen at large from the jurisdiction. These district officials for topics prescribed by the Grand committees are critical to the orderly administration Lodge, while another separate topic will be handled at of our Fraternity. Yet, these committees seem to be the instance and direction of the Worshipful Master. mostly active only during the latter months of the Masonic term such that their yearly output is largely Brethren, I have another point that hopefully you will 54 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 all agree with. Once and for all, we need to attain INSTALLING OFFICER: MW Rosendo Herrera, PGM stability of Masonic laws and regulations. As things now stand, our edicts starting from 1900s to date masterfully handled the installation ceremonies. already comprise a very thick book and everybody is at a loss on what is discarded and what is still effective. It doesn’t help that every Masonic year, every Grand Master keeps on adding his own versions of rules. I am not saying this is bad per se because rules are meant to ensure order. But I am saying that our written edicts have reached a point that it has grown quite confusing, to say the least. Edicts which have attained permanence should now be written into our constitution.

I am not a lawyer but permit me to offer my take on our legal situation from the point of view of a simple soldier and a regular mason.

First, our Constitution comprising of four parts should ideally represent permanent expressions of Masonic laws approved and ratified by the brethren. Its future amendments, if needed, must not be done by the mere expediency of edicts with immediate effect. Rather, these should be the exclusive prerogative of the brethren of our lodges to propose, deliberate upon, and submit for the approval of the AnCom.

Second, Grand Master’s edicts must complement, MW Gazmin standing before the Grand Altar. not contradict, the constitution. The constitution must be relied upon as the basic source of Masonic THE WOMAN BEHIND THE MAN: Sis. Rhodie Gazmin, rights, power, privileges, duties and functions. As has supported our Grand Master in every endeavor. of now, our constitution contains many provisions which have been already overhauled by edicts. As much as possible, we should avoid changing the rules in the middle of the game. Hence, edicts must aid the law by supplying the necessary details for better implementation of its provision. They must not over- ride the provisions of the constitution, otherwise, its integrity cannot be maintained, and confusion will ensue. After this AnCom, I will form a committee whose primary function is to come up with a source document which will consolidate the constitution and all amendments made therein and duly ratified 55 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 by the previous AnCom. exemplars of good men. Only good men enter our lodges and only good men should remain. We must After all is said and done, the utmost focus of all is readily discard the elements that bring dishonor to our human component – the brethren of our great our Fraternity. masonic lodges. Brethren, our mission is to show to the outside world The ways of masonry teach us that the traits of by our examples as Masons that there is a better way for brotherly love, relief and assistance, kindness and men to live. We cannot lead by actions if our actions courtesy toward our fellows are but the necessary within the fraternity are themselves undesirable. consequence of becoming better men. Let us recognize that we have become complacent, The ways of Masonry teach us to cultivate the traits that we have unwittingly allowed the slackening of of equality, honesty, and justice and fairness in all our our standards of right behavior and good conduct. dealings. We must change the errors of our ways by travelling through a straight path of right and truth in our daily The ways of Masonry teach us to be guarded in words, lives. temperate in manner, cautious in our bearings, and pleasant in our appearance. Beware of your private and public actions for they reflect upon our fraternity one way or the other. The ways of masonry exhort us to practice tolerance Being a mason does not give you any privilege to and under-standing, never letting our passions and transgress our laws and expect to be saved. You are prejudices to become the masters of our judgment. not exempt from traffic rules because your brothers in the police are the ones enforcing them. You These things we forget. cannot be lax in your obligation as a taxpayer simply because your brothers are the taxmen. You cannot We now see among us ugly in-fighting for positions, expect that the next promotion will be yours for long running quarrels, boorish and unruly behavior, the taking because the boss is a brother. As Masons, wicked plots and damaging schemes, depraved relief is not yours to demand but yours to earn by conducts, bullying and other shameless manifestations your own worth. of evil men. Brethren, our standards seem to have fallen and we have allowed them to prevail. Remember, in all our dealings, do not expect your brothers to give you undue advantage, nor preference We cannot tolerate this and still regard our lodges when others are more deserving. This is not the as the haven of better men. Let me remind all that Mason’s way. we are not in an ordinary run-of-the-mill fraternity. This is an ancient, exclusive community with exacting By all means, pursue redress of erring brethren within moral standards required of its members. If there is the rules of the brotherhood, but avoid displaying a league of extra ordinary gentlemen, freemasonry contempt and detestation of your brothers outside of should be it. the confines of ourF raternity. This is not the Mason’s way. Thus, in a nation of 100 million people, we are a drop in the bucket, numbering barely 22,000. We are a To all Grand Line officers, as well as incoming lights minority, we are few, but we are supposed to be the and officers of subordinate lodges, please do not 56 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 entertain any sense of entitlement from your brethren simply because of your high position. We are here to serve and not to be served. This is the Mason’s way! Beware of your private

By our own freewill and conscience, therefore, let us and public actions for they always endeavor to be immaculate in our persons. Let reflect upon our fraternity us be clean in our thoughts, in our words, and in our actions. This is the Mason’s way! one way or the other. Let us personify Masonic principles as the guiding Being a mason does not moral standards in our private lives as well as in the practice of our different trades or professions in life. give you any privilege to Beginning today, let us renew our commitment to transgress our laws and become better persons by the strict observance of our sworn obligation as masons, by defending the expect to be saved. You are integrity of our Fraternity through our exemplary actions, and by remaining true to our fraternal ideals - not exempt from traffic rules a strong brotherhood of good and true men under the fatherhood of our almighty and All-seeing God. because your brothers in the

Join me now, my brothers, as we march in cadence to police are the ones enforcing the realization of our theme: “Personify freemasonry. Be the better person through the best way. Think, them. You cannot be lax speak and act the mason’s way.” in your obligation as a Join me now, an old soldier who shall finally bid taxpayer simply because farewell to his duty to flag and country, to lead our beloved Fraternity in a new mission of hope, in your brothers are the building a better world by building better men to live in it. taxmen. You cannot expect With the wisdom and guidance of the great architect that the next promotion of the universe, we will continue our Masonic journey and blaze a way towards a better Grand will be yours for the taking Lodge composed of better subordinate lodges, and better lodges composed of much improved men and because the boss is a brother. Masons. As Masons, relief is not With the total commitment and support of all the brethren, we will succeed! Indeed, we cannot fail, yours to demand but yours because we will exemplify our thoughts, words and actions through the best way - the Mason’s way! to earn by your own worth. 57 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 An enchanting escapade with the ladies of AnCom 2016 THERE’S NOTHING LIKE A RELAXING CRUISE AROUND TOWN TO COUNTERACT THE SEEMINGLY SWEALTERING HEAT THAT HAS ENGULFED TAGAYTAY THESE DAYS. In order to provide its lovely guests a perfect getaway the thousand of excited brethren of the AnCom, these from the hustle and bustle that has enveloped the ladies were more than willing to sign up for the tour. AnCom 2016 site during the last weekend of April 2016, the organizers has created an interesting With a full day itinerary ahead, the group composed day tour as an additional treat for the ladies of our of 23 lovely ladies from the jurisdiction of Seattle, brethren from foreign jurisdiction last April 28, 2016. Washington, New York, New South Wales Australia, To escape the noise and confusion brought about by and California set off from the Taal Vista Hotel at

The sisters from New South Wales, Australia enjoying a pleasant moment at Canyon Woods. Joining them is Ms. Lanie Diesta (2nd from right) olf the Tagaytay City Tourism office 58 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1

The group posing for a shot at Caleruega Retreat House in Batulao, Batangas.

9am onboard two ivory-colored vans along with two an ideal site of many weddings. In fact, the waitlist to (2) city guides and one (1) photographers provided have your wedding scheduled on the chapel is said to by the city tourism office of Tagaytay. be more than year long.

Accompanying these ladies were VW Marlon M. After a group photographs inCaleruega, the group Castor and WB Nonoy Z. Austriaco of King Solomon was shuttled next to Canyon Woods Resort--- a Lodge No. 150 and Hadji Butu Rasul Memorial membership resort complex where at the clubhouse Lodge No. 393. they were welcome by no less than its General Manager, Mr. Mr. Tony Villa-Real, who prepared To start of the tour, the vans headed down south a delectable snack array for the tour group. At the to the enchanting gardens and chapel on the hill of clubhouse, the group was joined by Ms. Lanie Diesta, Caleruega in Batulao, Batangas---which is barely a 30- Tagaytay’s City Tourism Officer. minute drive from the hotel. Caleruega is a known retreat complex owned by the Dominican Order After having their fill over a hearty plate of spaghettis, in the Philippines and offers a quiet and tranquil sandwiches and brownies, the group then proceeded atmosphere where one can reflect and meditate but to the next stop of the tour which was the famous it is more popular for its chapel on the hill which is Puzzle Mansion. 59 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1

PUZZLED TO THE MAX: The ladies listening to the tour coordinator as she was explaining the various kinds of puzzles at the Puzzle Mansion in Tagaytay City. The mansion owns the distinction of having the largest collections of puzzles in the world.

The Puzzle Mansion is home to the museum where The farm continually produces all sorts of things from you can find the record-breaking puzzle collection of their bees; from pure honey syrups, to bee propolis, Gina Gil Lacuna. It is located in the Lacuna family’s cider vinegars, soaps, face scrubs, lotions, shampoos, one hectare summer house in Tagaytay. She beat the ointments, mosquito repellants, candles, wood polish reigning Brazilian Luiza Figueiredo in the Guinness and a whole lot more. World Records for having the Largest Collection of Jigsaw Puzzles in the World. Inside the museum, you Though a bit out of the way from Tagaytay as itis can view her 1,028 puzzles which the Guinness World actually situated in Silang, Cavite, it is relatively close Records officially recognized as the largest collection enough to the city to be considered as a Tagaytay in the world last November 29, 2012. destination.

The group was engulfed in fascination and awe at the Upon their arrival, the group was held for a short feat by the makers of these puzzles yet as this was not presentation and orientation on bee culture and the last stop of their journey, they had to say goodbye after a few minutes, they were allowed to shop for and board the vans for the next stop in their trip, pasalubongs and personal effects to their hearts which was supposed to be lunch at one of Tagaytay’s delight. famous eat stops. But as they were still full from the food provided to them at Canyon Woods, the The last stop of the city tour involved a stop at the tour decided to jump to the next destination which Sisters-Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual was Ilog Maria Bee Farm somewhere along Gen. Adoration Convent of the Divine Mercy or more Aguinaldo Highway. popularly known as Pink Sisters, is one of the most visited Catholic monasteries in Tagaytay. In this The brainchild of husband and wifeJ oey and Violaine church you’ll find nuns clad in pink habits kneeling Magsaysay, Ilog Maria has been keeping bees and in front of the altar during mass or silently reading harvesting their honeys for almost thirty years now churchgoers’ petitions 24/7. The place is very solemn with continual help from the Magsaysay children. as visitors are requested to remain silent, especially 60 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 inside the church. Visitors are urged to have their cellphones and cameras placed in silent mode or turned off.

Alas! All good things must eventually come to a halt and the group tired from the day’s fun-filled tryst, headed off backto Taal Vista Hotel to join the rest of the jurisdiction in the celebrating the rest of the AnCom. BUSY AS BEES (Right): The tour group, listening to the start of the orientation tour given by one of the owners of the Ilog Maria Bee Farm. The farm sells all kinds of bee-extracted products such as bees wax, bee pollen, honey as well as other cosmetic products derived from such materials. Below: The tour group, posing for their first photo at the grand staircase of the Caleruega Retreat House in Batulao, Batangas.

61 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1

WHAT’S UP, MATE?: Brethren from the United Grand Lodge of Victoria, endured the summer heat for this photo in front of the Taal Cultural Center, just outside the Taal Basilica. The Taking of Taal: A Daytour with our foreign brethren of AnCom 2016 HOT ON THE HEELS OF A SUCCESSFUL TAGAYTAY CITY TOUR JUST THE DAY BEFORE, ANCOM 2016 ORGANIZERS DECIDED TO GO FURTHER AND TREATED ITS FOREIGN GUESTS TO A TOWN TOUR OF THE HISTORIC TOWN OF TAAL---THE MUNICIPALITY TO WHICH THE PICTURESQUE TAAL LAKE AND VOLCANO BELONG TO. Armed with two tourist-class DLTB buses, the of brethren and guests from the Grand Lodge of AnCom 2016 Tourism Committee and giving in to Victoria, Australia, Grand Lodge of California, the the last-minute clamor of organizing a tour for its Grand Lodge of Washington, and the Grand Lodge of foreign guests, gave a 43-strong tour group composed Japan a more lengthy tour of Taal Town in the nearby 62 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 province of Batangas.

Coordinating with the Tagaytay City Tourism Office which in turn, coordinated with the Municipal Tourism Office of Taal, Batangas, the group left Taal Vista Hotel at around 10am owing to the late arrival of the second bus which was necessitated by the large size of the group that took interest in the tour.

Unfortunately, as there was an ongoing construction along the shorter route, the took a neccessary but longer detour to Taal through the towns of Anilao and Calaca en route to Taal.

After almost two hours, the group reached the town of Taal and immediately visited the renowned Basilica of St. Martin de Tours.

Dubbed as the largest Catholic church in Asia, the Basilica of St. Martin de Tours is one astounding landmark that sits atop a hill right at the center of the town. Two distinct features of the basilica are the façade, which will remind you of the St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, and the silver tabernacle, claimed to be the only one of its kind in the country.

Often called Taal Basilica, the church is among the most visited destinations of people from various places during the Lenten season. This church is also popular among couples who will tie the knot.

After a visit to the Basilica, the group then proceeded to the Villavicencio Wedding Gift House where en route, the tourists were amazed at the uncanny driving skills of the DLTB bus drivers manuevering their massive vehicles across the narrow and 63 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1

64 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 storied streets of Taal town. the Taal Bayview Bistro, where a sumptuous lunch of sinigang na hasa-hasa, barbecued chicken, salad, Adjacent to Casa Villavicencio is the house known sauteed vegetables, and perfectly crisped-tawilis (a as the Villavicencio Wedding Gift House. The house sardine-like fish endemic to Taal and famous for its received this sobriquet because the house was built soft and edible bones) awaited them. as a lavish wedding present of Don Eulalio to his wife Gliceria on their nuptials. The restaurant offered a cool and comfortable respite from the scorching sun outside, where some of the Although the wedding gift house has the same the tourist helped themselves to a few ronds of beer architectural elements of houses built during that and whiskey. period, we find its look and feel to be more cheerful and feminine than the adjacent ancestral house. However, as time was of the essence and pursuant to some of the request of the members of the The walk through the ancestral houses somewhat group (considering that some of them were invoked some memories from the tourists as some Grand Masters and Past Grand Masters in their were reminded of their childhood days by the respective jurisdictions) that they had to be back photographs hanging on the walls and the antiquated at the AnCom site (Taal Vista Hotel) in time for decorations that adorned the houses. the evening events such as the Tribute to the Past Grand Masters, the group collected themselves Alas, the group decided to move on with the itinerary and slowly made their way back to Tagaytay, where in order to make up for lost time due to the late arrival the scenic countryside view offered them some of the bus and set off for the Galleria Taal which can comfort and consolation that though their tour be found across the Apacible House. Also referred was cut short, there was enought memories to to as the Ilagan-Barrion House which houses the take with them when they go back home after the first and only vintage camera museum in the country. AnCom 2016. The Ilagan-Barrion house was built circa 1870 by Domingo Ilagan and Maria Martinez. WORTH MENTIONING

The house had been totally neglected for several years On the same day on another front, Ateng Rhodie until the great grandson of the house’s original owner Gazmin, the wife of Grand Master MW Voltaire Manny Inumerable painstakingly restored their Gazmin, likewise hosted a special lunch for some ancestral home to house his extensive collection of of the selected guests from foreign jurisdiction and rare vintage cameras in a musuem he named Galleria spouses of the Past Grand Masters. Taal. Their contingent, composed of three (3) vans, headed However, due to the punishing April summer heat as off to Highlands Tagaytay, where they were treated well as the lengthy trip to Taal, some of the tourists to a pleasant morning of fellowship culminating in a requested that their participation in the tour be cut delectable lunch. short and requested for refreshments owing also to that it is also already lunch time. Tagaytay Highlands is a world-class recreational and residential complex nestled amid the natural Thus taking into consideration the overall health splendor and cool, unpolluted atmosphere of and comfort of the group, they were then shuttled to Tagaytay Ridge. 65 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 The Southern Warden of the Grand South Meet GLP’s new JGW, RW Agapito S. Suan, Jr. In one of the swiftest technologically-assisted elections in recent memory, a new Junior Grand Warden hailing from the southern regions of the archipelago was elected in the person of Right Worshipful Agapito S. Suan, Jr. during the 100th Annual Communication of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines. It seems that RW Suan was destined to be placed in de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry the Grand South this year as he was among those that (Former Board of Trustee), Young Men’s Christian survived the nerve-wracking raffle in the selection Association (YMCA), (President 2012), Outdoor of the final candidates—besting the supposedly Advertising Association of the Philippines (OAAP) early favorites, and had to go through two rounds of (Mindanao Chapter President: 2010–2012), and elections in under an hour to emerge as the true and the Opol Livestock & Poultry Operators Association uncontested victor in this year’s elections. (OLPOA).

Born on November 20, 1958, RW Jun as he is fondly- RW Jun’s Masonic journey started when he knocked called is no stranger to success and hard work. As on the doors of Macalajar Lodge No. 184 on August a working student-scholar at La Salle University 18, 1984 and raised the same year as a Master Mason Ozamis taking up BS Commerce majoring in on the 25th of October. Accountancy, RW Jun slowly worked the banking industry after graduation with employments at In 1992, he ascended the Worshipful Master’s PBCom and Metrobank in Cagayan De Oro City and Chair of his mother lodge and was adjudged even worked as an Internal Auditor of the Mindanao “Most Outstanding Worshipful Master in 1993. Hotel in the late 70s. In 2001, he was appointed District Deputy Grand Master during the administration of the Now, our Right Worshipful brother is the late MW Napoleon A. Soriano, PGM and was accomplished head of his own business empire chosen as the “Most Outstanding DDGM” the composed of substantial interests in companies such following year. as Ultracraft Advertising Corporation, Ultrawinds Mountain Resort, Ultra Farms, DXRU Radyo Ultra, During the term of MW Eugenio S. Labitoria, PGM Jolibee Foods Corp. in Cagayan De Oro, Iligan, and the following year, he served as Junior Grand Lecturer Opol. for North Central Mindanao. Our present Junior Grand Warden is a 33rd degree Inspector General He sits on the Board of Trustee of La Salle University Honorary of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Ozamis and is affiliated with Rotary Club of Uptown of Freemasonry, belonging to the Mindanao Bodies Cagayan de Oro (Paul Harris Fellow), Cagayan of Cagayan De Oro City. 66 The Cable Tow Vol. 93 Special Issue No. 1 He is also a member of the Agila Shriners as (Divan) First Ceremonial Master in 2014.

RW Jun is married to our lovely Sister Clarissa Mae G. Suan and is a proud father to a brood of four, namely, Atty. Lordan G. Suan, Lariza Nieves G. Suan, Agapito Eriberto G. Suan, and Mary Clarisse G. Suan.

When asked about his plans and programs for the Fraternity when he ran for his present position, RW Jun said, “Unfortunately at present, we have become too concerned with complicated issues that have brought controversies and conflict to the Craft and we may have overlooked the real purpose of Freemasonry. More emphasis therefore must be directed towards the observance of our traditionally held values, those which have made this Fraternity strong, united and distinct from the rest for generations.”

RW Jun said that his proposed program therefore will revolve around the principal tenets of our Craft: “Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.” It is his belief that this is where we have built the foundation of our institution and this is what we must at all times propagate. He cites that no intelligent man can question these universally accepted precepts, and yet ironically, our members often take them for granted. 67 Tribute to the Brethen of the 100th Annual Communication